Revival: Lost Southern Voices - Panels Day 2
2026-03-21 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA, 30030
Revival: Lost Southern Voices, a festival for readers, celebrates historically excluded, erased, or marginalized Southern voices. During this annual conference, invited presenters discuss Southern authors or artists whose works are out-of-print or otherwise do not receive the attention they deserve. We invite the public, scholars, students, writers, and inquisitive readers to join the conversation as we continue to discover and revive these Lost Southern Voices.
Panel 3: 1:00 p.m. ET
Historical Recipes: Preserving Georgia’s Foodways and Stories
Valerie Frey in conversation with Gina Flowers
Register for Panel 3 here.
Panel 4: 3:00 p.m. ET
Beyond Bars: Celebrating Incarcerated Voices through Creative Writing Courses
Nellie Cox
Cameron Ervin
Beth Gylys
Katherine Perry
Moderated by: Andy Rogers
Register for Panel 4 here.

National History Day Georgia: South Metro Regional Contest
2026-03-28 | Rockdale Career Academy, 2064 Culpepper Dr SW, Conyers, GA, 30094, United States
National History Day (NHD) Georgia is a program of Georgia Humanities and LaGrange College. NHD encourages middle and high school students to engage more deeply in historical research and analysis. The South Metro Regional Contest is one of nine regional contests that precede the annual State Contest.
If you are a historian, museum professional, humanities scholar, or educator and are interested in volunteering to judge at the regional contest, register here.
Visit lagrange.edu/nhd for more information on the NHD Georgia program.

Reckoning with Remus: Reinterpreting The Wren's Nest
2026-03-28 14:00 | The Wren’s Nest, 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Atlanta, 30310, United States
Join The Wren’s Nest in Atlanta as they unveil a new tour reexamining the Brer Rabbit stories, their West African origins, and the people who first shared them. This launch event features a community conversation about the museum’s reinterpretation project, followed by a guided tour highlighting the home’s evolving history and its role in Atlanta’s changing cultural landscape.
This program is supported by a grant from Georgia Humanities.

Stars, Stripes and Self-Expression Teen Art Contest Registration
2026-04-06 19:30 - 2026-05-01 21:30 | Clayton County Library Headquarters, 865 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro, GA, 30236, United States
Contest Theme: The American Revolution: Then vs. Now.
This program is funded by an America 250 grant from Georgia Humanities.

National History Day Georgia: State Contest
2026-04-18 | LaGrange College, 601 Broad St., LaGrange, GA, 30240, United States
National History Day (NHD) Georgia is a program of Georgia Humanities and LaGrange College. NHD encourages middle and high school students to engage more deeply in historical research and analysis. The State Contest, held at LaGrange College on April 18, showcases the best student work from across the state, as more than 500 students in grades 6-12 present their entries to volunteer expert judges. Students have the opportunity to advance beyond the state-level contest and represent Georgia at the national NHD contest in June.
It takes more than 130 judges to make the State Contest happen. If you are a historian, museum professional, humanities scholar, or educator and are interested in volunteering to judge at the regional contest, please consider registering here.
Visit lagrange.edu/nhd for more information on the NHD Georgia program.

Porch Songs & Public Voices Festival
2026-04-18 12:00 - 22:00 | Downtown Hartwell, 57 Depot St, Hartwell, GA, 30643, United States
Featuring all-day exhibits and shows at High Cotton Music Hall, Hart County Community Theatre, Hartwell Art Center, and MORE! Performers include Mojo on Max and the Hot Dam Blues Band as well as storytellers and artists from local Cherokee historians and demonstrations from UGA on quilting in early America.
This program is part of Voices & Votes: Democracy in America, presented by Georgia Humanities through the Museum on Main Street program, a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution.

Gordon Johnson - A River Runs Through Us: Stories From Georgia Watersheds
2026-04-20 18:30 | Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce De Leon, 980 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, 30306, United States
Join us for a special program from author Gordon Johnston, a Georgia Humanities Circuit speaker. A narrative performance blending ecology, history, and personal story to explore how Georgia’s waterways shape memory, community, and imagination across generations. This program is supported by the Friends of the Ponce Library.

Educators Professional Development Workshop (1)
2026-04-21 09:00 - 15:00 | Putnam County Annex Building – County Commission Room, 117 Putnam Dr. (main entrance facing HWY 441), Eatonton, 31024, United States
Educators are invited to a workshop on how to integrate economics into lesson plans (grades 3-12) for America 250 and Voices and Votes. Hosted by the Georgia Council for Economic Development.
This program is part of Voices & Votes: Democracy in America, presented by Georgia Humanities through the Museum on Main Street program, a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution.

Voice n' Verse - The Revolution Edition
2026-04-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Clayton County Library Headquarters, 865 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro, GA, 30236, United States
Join us for a night of poetry, music, laughter and creativity! Create your own Hamilton-inspired piece to celebrate America 250 in your own special way.
This program is funded by an America 250 grant from Georgia Humanities.

Educators Professional Development Workshop (2)
2026-04-22 09:00 - 15:00 | Putnam County Annex Building – County Commission Room, 117 Putnam Dr. (main entrance facing HWY 441), Eatonton, 31024, United States

Educators Professional Development Workshop (3)
2026-04-23 09:00 - 15:00 | Putnam County Annex Building – County Commission Room, 117 Putnam Dr. (main entrance facing HWY 441), Eatonton, 31024, United States

Voices and Votes Exhibit Opening: Eatonton
2026-04-25 17:30 - 19:00 | Putnam County Annex Building – County Commission Room, 117 Putnam Dr. (main entrance facing HWY 441), Eatonton, 31024, United States
Voices and Votes opens in Eatonton for America250—explore U.S. democracy’s past, present, and future at this Smithsonian exhibition.

Step into the story of American democracy at Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, a Smithsonian traveling exhibition opening in Eatonton for America250. Explore how citizens have shaped the nation—from the Revolution and suffrage to civil rights and today’s civic life—through engaging displays and local perspectives.
Join us for the opening evening featuring a special conversation with Governor Nathan Deal and Representative Calvin Smyre, moderated by Dr. Cathy Cox.
Throughout the exhibition’s six-week run, enjoy a full lineup of community events including panel discussions, readings, art exhibits, and more. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, educator, or curious community member, this experience invites you to reflect on what democracy means today and how you can take part.
The event is free, but space is limited. Reserve your tickets here

This program is part of Voices & Votes: Democracy in America, presented by Georgia Humanities through the Museum on Main Street program, a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution.

Muscogee Ancestral Lands in West Georgia: A Public Humanities Event
2026-04-29 15:00 - 20:00 | Ingram Library, University of West Georgia, 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA, 30118, United States
Join the West Georgia community for a meaningful exploration of the Muscogee (Creek)
people’s enduring connection to this land. As we mark 200 years since the forced removal of
the Muscogee people and the founding of Carroll and Coweta counties, scholars, cultural
leaders, and Muscogee community voices come together to share powerful stories, maps,
primary sources, and oral histories that illuminate our region’s Indigenous past and its living
legacy today.
All are invited—neighbors, families, students, educators, and history‑minded
community members—to learn, reflect, and honor the history that shapes where we live.
Attend one session or stay throughout the day—your engagement helps illuminate
the stories that shape West Georgia
This program is supported by a grant from Georgia Humanities.

Red, White, and ’Cue: Georgia History Through Barbecue
2026-05-21 18:00 | McDonough Public Library, 1001 Florence McGarity Blvd, McDonough, 30252, United States
Celebrate National Barbecue Month with a flavorful journey through the traditions that shaped Georgia’s social and cultural landscape. Join Dr. James “Trae” Welborn III as he explores the fascinating civic history behind our stat’s favorite food, featuring delicious samples provided by Fresh Air BBQ.
This program was made possible by a grant from Georgia Humanities.
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Cars & Guitars
2026-05-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Hartwell, 185 West Franklin St, Hartwell, 30643, United States
Hartwell’s premier car show extravaganza! Featuring 150+ classic cars, this FREE event is the perfect way to kick off Memorial Day Weekend! This year’s special exhibit will feature the history of American migration and labor as it connects to the invention of the automobile.
This program is part of Voices & Votes: Democracy in America, presented by Georgia Humanities through the Museum on Main Street program, a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution.

Haints, Saints & Sinners: The Timelessness of Gullah Geechee Culture and History
2026-05-31 14:00 | Greenville Methodist Church, 502 North Talbotton Street, Greenville, 30222, United States
Join us for what promises to be “a rich exploration of the enduring presence of Gullah Geechee communities in Georgia – their stories, spiritual traditions, cultural expressions and profound influence on the state’s identity.
Presenter: Dr. Joyce White
Assistant Professor of English and Scholar of Gullah Geechee Literature at Georgia Southern University
Made possible through the Georgia Humanities Georgia Circuit Speakers Bureau.
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Southern Lit Fest
2026-06-05 18:00 - 21:00 | The Berkley Social, 21 Jackson Street, Newnan, 30263, United States
Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation (NCLF) brings Southern LitFest to downtown Newnan every other year, and looks forward to holding the fourth LitFest in conjunction with the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Set for June 5-6, 2026, this edition of Southern LitFest carries the theme: Read All About It – Journalists turned Authors, Saluting the First Amendment.
The goal of this fan-favorite event is to foster a love of reading and showcase the many diverse programs the Carnegie offers free to patrons of all ages year-round. LitFest is made possible through grants and individual and business sponsors, enabling NCLF’s completely volunteer organization to financially and physically support programming our beloved Carnegie.
In 2024, LitFest attracted more than 1,000 people from 11 states and 54 cities. The 2026 LitFest promises to be just as entertaining and successful.
On June 5, we present three journalists-turned-authors with ties to Newnan: Angela McRae, Jeff Bishop and Kathryn Smith. Beth Neely, publisher of The Newnan Times-Herald, will moderate the panel discussion. Afterwards, authors will meet with guests and sell and sign their books. Hors d’oeuvres will be available along with a cash bar.
This program is funded by an America250 grant from Georgia Humanities.

Southern Lit Fest Day 2
2026-06-06 | Newnan Carnegie Library, 1 LaGrange St., Newnan, 30263, United States
Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation (NCLF) brings Southern LitFest to downtown Newnan every other year, and looks forward to holding the fourth LitFest in conjunction with the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Set for June 5-6, 2026, this edition of Southern LitFest carries the theme: Read All About It – Journalists turned Authors, Saluting the First Amendment.
The goal of this fan-favorite event is to foster a love of reading and showcase the many diverse programs the Carnegie offers free to patrons of all ages year-round. LitFest is made possible through grants and individual and business sponsors, enabling NCLF’s completely volunteer organization to financially and physically support programming our beloved Carnegie.
In 2024, LitFest attracted more than 1,000 people from 11 states and 54 cities. The 2026 LitFest promises to be just as entertaining and successful.
On June 6, the schedule is https://southernlitfest.com/event-schedule
This program is funded by an America250 grant from Georgia Humanities.

Sir James Wright and Loyalism in British America
2026-06-08 17:00 | Dodge County Murrell Memorial Library, 531 2nd Ave, Eastman, GA, 31023, United States
Guest Speaker Dr. Greg Brooking will provide a fresh examination of Georgia’s last royal governor, revealing how loyalism, diplomacy, and political tension shaped the colony in the turbulent years preceding the Revolution.
This program is funded by an America250 grant from Georgia Humanities.

Civil Rights: Portrait of a Local Champion, Lonnie C. King, Jr.
2026-06-11 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-12 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-15 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-16 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-17 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-19 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-23 09:00 - 17:00 and 2 more dates | Calhoun Public Library, 19379 Hartford Street, Edison, 39846-0365, United States
The Calhoun County Library will host the Lonnie C. King, Jr., Traveling Exhibit. Join us at the exhibit for community conversations around this local civil rights champion. Our goal is to build historical understanding, encourage informed participation, and empower residents—especially youth and historically marginalized groups—to see voting as a meaningful tool for shaping their community’s future.
This program is part of Voices & Votes: Democracy in America, presented by Georgia Humanities through the Museum on Main Street program, a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution.

How Hip Hop Made Atlanta: Atlanta's Hip Hop Geography
2026-06-18 18:30 - 19:30 | MODA, 1315 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30309
Hip-hop found a home in a lot of American cities. It found its voice in Atlanta.
But the full story — how the music grew out of specific neighborhoods, specific struggles, and specific visions of what the South could be — rarely gets told with the depth it deserves.
How Hip-Hop Made Atlanta is a three-part public lecture series by Dr. Regina N. Bradley. Each session examines Atlanta’s hip-hop culture as a lens for understanding American identity, civic life, and regional history.
In this first session, Dr. Regina N. Bradley traces the streets, studios, clubs, and gathering spaces that turned Atlanta into a hip-hop capital. Through lyrics, media, and historical context, she asks how neighborhoods become origin stories and how geography shapes culture and memory.
Join MODA for this free lecture followed by a Q&A.
This program is supported by a grant from Georgia Humanities.
